General Discussions

[LP]

Yes, but it was really inspired by humanitarianism which was a great passion of his. Circa 1932 Albert could see what was happening in Germany and started a movement, of sorts, to promote humanitarianism as a way to short-circuit growing nationalism & Hitler. After a fair while, he had 3 signatures! He packed his bags and went to the US at the end of the year.

Highly intelligent (IQ & EI) folks can envision the natural consequences of certain behaviours/movements, generally well before the rank and file.

He perhaps expressed or actioned some significant philosophical contradictions in his life as well.

He's is / was far from a favourite in some circles, something many forgive due to his other achievements.

[LP]

I'm no fan of the ScoMo take on religion, which unfortunately is very common. I think it's infantile. Progressive Christianity tries to emphasise orthopraxy (what you do) rather than orthodoxy (what you believe). I'm not much interested in whether someone believes in the Virgin Birth, or the physical resurrection of Jesus. I'm interested in what they're doing to make the world a better place.

Actions taking precedence over words, in this we are in accord.

In regards to Einstein, the matter of the development and use of nuclear weapons is an interesting conundrum. Some refer to it as a race between two evils, not good versus evil.

[Baggers]

[member=64]PaulP[/member]‍ Would you say socialism has roots in some very fundamental religious principles?

I often think about this when I see the likes of ScoMo preach liberal policies, while worshipping socially.

Of course some may claim perhaps what ScoMo and his like really worship, is the business of religion, the capitalist version! This seems to be a philosophical debate that plays out in all religions, I've seen it play out first hand during my years of schooling, and subsequently when some school friends entered then exited the clergy. Victorians might see this demonstrated in the behavioural differences between for example Rev George Pell and [b]Father Bob Macguire.[/b]

I had the great pleasure of working with Fr Bob many years ago. You are right, he is the very antithesis of Pell. If all Catholic priests were like Fr Bob the world would be a very different place. Such a down to earth, real person who understood spirituality ...deeply. And a very funny bugger too. We jousted often re footy - he's a one-eyed Rottingwood supporter.

The Church couldn't wait to retire him off, they tried a few times but the congregation outcry was too loud to ignore. He was a thorn in the Church's side with his constant reminders that the Church should be serving the community... out amongst the community... helping anyone and everyone regardless of social standing. He complained that too often priests were serving the Church, themselves and not the community - good way to be unpopular with the hierarchy.

[LP]

Liz Cambage is rallying against the White Wash of the Australian Olympic team promotions.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/basketba...57prm.html

Firstly, some of the reports put this in an indigenous platform, is Cambage indigenous?

Secondly, given the photos have 7 and 10 athletes respectively, to keep things proportional we have to have 0.23% of an Indigenous person in the 7 athlete photo, and 0.33% of a Indigenous person in the 10 athlete photo. Or combined 0.56% of an Indigenous athlete across both photos.

The use of a whole disabled athlete in both is ridiculously over-representative.

Just a few weeks back I listened to a Indigenous activist from Vic Western District argue you are indigenous if we say your indigenous, and skin colour makes no difference. The debate is so full of hypocrisy I can't pretend to be interested anymore. The Cambage article asserts she tweeted that fake tan doesn't cut it, so true skin colour matters!

There is a lot of absurdity in this debate from all sides even my own! :o

[Gointocarlton]

Nothing like politics to polarise folks!

I recall a quote from Einstein that I'll paraphrase, it went something like, 'when someone is blindly loyal to any political party or ideology they no longer need their brain as they will think what they're told to think (by that political party or ideology leader). All they require is a brain stem to breath, walk and eat.' He had a similar opinion for those who declared themselves, 'patriots.'

When I think of Albo, ScoMo, Dutton, Shorten, Cash... etc., all I see are shallow opportunists.

Although I may not agree entirely with their ideologies, I do see (saw) sincerity and a genuine concern for all Aussies from Rudd, Howard, Turnbull, Hawke and a few others. None were perfect.

But I think that the bottom line is that, globally, there are very few 'real' leaders... people of vision, altruism, business acumen, superior negotiation skills, courage and genuine substance. Dare I say that in the modern world we tend to see more boldness and vision from women leaders!!! (Except M. Cash - shallowness and simplistic thinking personified).

Care for Aussies disappeared when Hawk stopped being PM. Howard had a little bit of care, the rest a pension benefit, attention seeking parasites that I wouldn't feed let alone vote for.

[cookie2]

Politics and politicians are mainly  about representing and looking after vested interests,  and we all know what such vested interests come down to for many people.  True altruism is a rare commodity and as Paul Keating quipped, "Never underestimate the power of self-interest".

[capcom]

Been a desert since Howard .... they just don't 'effin listen.  None of 'em.

And why?  No moral compass, just a "look at me" attitude

Zali Steggall
Sam Dastyari
Bandt
Turnbull

I could list them, but the litter tray is in need of a clean

[DJC]

Liz Cambage is rallying against the White Wash of the Australian Olympic team promotions.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/basketba...57prm.html

Firstly, some of the reports put this in an indigenous platform, is Cambage indigenous?

Secondly, given the photos have 7 and 10 athletes respectively, to keep things proportional we have to have 0.23% of an Indigenous person in the 7 athlete photo, and 0.33% of a Indigenous person in the 10 athlete photo. Or combined 0.56% of an Indigenous athlete across both photos.

The use of a whole disabled athlete in both is ridiculously over-representative.

Just a few weeks back I listened to a Indigenous activist from Vic Western District argue you are indigenous if we say your indigenous, and skin colour makes no difference. The debate is so full of hypocrisy I can't pretend to be interested anymore. The Cambage article asserts she tweeted that fake tan doesn't cut it, so true skin colour matters!

There is a lot of absurdity in this debate from all sides even my own! :o

I believe Cambage has Nigerian heritage.

Indigenous identity generally requires one to meet three criteria; descent from an Indigenous person, identifying as an Indigenous person and recognition as a member by an Indigenous community.  Skin colour isn't a factor and nor should it be when it's more or less a throw of the dice for folk of mixed genetic origin.

[PaulP]

Just goes to show the precipitous decline in politics if Howard is now considered an elder statesman. IMO, he did one rally great thing early on, which was the gun control legislation, and that was it.

[ElwoodBlues1]

Einstein was in favour of Socialism.

Spent a short time working in Russia and some of the breakaway states and a lot of the average folk from the likes of Belarus, Moldova, Estonia etc all wanted to be back in the Soviet Union. So called Freedom isnt much use when nothing works and you are starving, the replacement govts were/are more corrupt than the previous Soviet regimes.
Socialism does have its advantages depending where you are in the world.